As of 11 p.m., Jovan Melton was leading Terry Todd for the House District 41 race by a scant 41 votes. The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder’s Office reported that Melton had 2,255 votes to Todd’s 2,215. That’s well within recount territory if things don’t change.

The district is an open seat in the southwest portion of Aurora and part of unincorporated Arapahoe County.

Todd is the husband of former state Rep. Nancy Todd of Aurora, a Democrat who was termed out and is running for a state Senate seat. Melton had the support of many of the state’s top black politicians, including former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, while Terry Todd had the backing of some big-name Democrats, including Congressman Ed Perlmutter.

The district leans heavily Democratic in voter registration and performance, and because there is no Republican in the general election, the winner of the primary will cruise into the legislature unchallenged, barring a write-in candidate.

State Rep. Nancy Todd and her husband, Terry Todd, were married 41 years ago today.

The theme of a fundraiser for Senate candidate Nancy Todd and House candidate Terry Todd is “Celebrating 41” and no wonder.

The couple married 41 years ago today in Lawrence, Kan. Nancy, an Aurora Democrat, has represented House District 41 for eight years and now is running for the state Senate. Terry is running for his wife’s House seat and faces Jovan Melton in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

Guests to Friday night’s fundraiser for the Todds is at home in Aurora, and guests are asked to contribute $41 or more to either statehouse candidate.

About that wedding: Terry Joe Todd wore a brown tuxedo with a blue shirt. Nancy Janann Knox’s dress was a princess cut style. The cake was German chocolate and the reception was in the church basement with punch and cake.

“Very traditional for the ’70s,” she said.

And how, especially in the Midwest. Remember when the mints matched the bridesmaids dresses?

When the 2013 state legislature convenes, Terry and Nancy Todd — both Democrats — hope to have accomplished a feat achieved by just two other married couples in Colorado: serving simultaneously together under the gold dome.

Jovan Melton, center, is a candidate for House District 41 in southwest Aurora.

When it came to last year’s Denver mayoral race, Jovan Melton could not win.

Over the course of several months, the 32-year-old bounced around in various roles for three different campaigns — none of which were eventual winner Michael Hancock’s — as the field of candidates shrank.

But Melton hopes that his luck will change as he runs for House District 41. The Denver native is in a three-way Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Nancy Todd due to term limits.

His challengers consist of educator Terry Todd — Nancy’s husband — and Andrew Bateman, a member of the young Arapahoe County Democrats. The southwest Aurora district is a safe-haven for Democrats, so whomever wins the primary will likely represent the district.

“I think I possess great qualities having worked directly in state government,” said Melton, who notes that none of his competitors have this background. “I’ve worked in the governor’s Commission for Community Service under former Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien and created policy to help Colorado families.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.